Govt issues new CNY SOP, maintains celebrations confined within household

 

The National Security Council (NSC) has lifted the maximum of "20 people per home" rule for the Chinese New Year celebrations, according to the new standard operating procedure (SOP) released today.

However, celebrations - including for the reunion dinner - are still limited to members of the same household.

"The family reunion dinner is only allowed for the family members of the same household at their house," the NSC said.

The new SOP for Chinese New Year celebrations comes after the ones issued yesterday courted flak from the public.

The new ruling will be applied on Feb 11, 12 and 19, compared to Feb 12 and 13 previously.

Feb 11 is the Chinese New Year eve, where the Chinese all around the country are supposed to go home to have reunion dinners with their families.

Feb 19 is the eighth day of the first month of the Lunar calendar in which the Hokkien community will celebrate "Bai Tian Gong".

Yesterday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the celebrations would be confined to members of the same household who are living together, at least for those outside Sarawak.

House-to-house visitations, interdistrict travel and interstate travel are all prohibited.

Likewise, prayers at temples are prohibited except for up to five members of the temple committee, and other members of the Chinese community are encouraged to perform their prayers at home instead.

Events such as lion dances, opera performances and Chingay parades are prohibited.

The ruling has drawn flak particularly as it directly banned family members who are living apart in the same state or cities from returning home for reunion dinner and celebrations.

Earlier today, the National Unity Ministry said it would appeal to the NSC on the Chinese New Year SOP after hearing the public's views. - Mkini

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